Uphill Battle For Wirfs
September 11th, 2020
Two days from NFL debut.
The pandemic we are living through has thrown our world so upside down that not even a 1970s shock movie would write this script.
Just about everyone’s life in has changed. Maybe only those now working wherever they like — with internet access — can say life may have improved.
For a rookie like Bucs right tackle Tristan Wirfs, whatever team drafted hi was likely going to start him. And who knows, had he been training and working out and visiting teams like any other normal offseason, perhaps he would have been drafted sooner and pocketed more cash?
But here Wirfs is with the Bucs and he’s expected to at least contain Pro Bowl defensive end Cam Jordan in his very first NFL game.
Tall task for any rookie, much less a guy who lost valuable development time due to virtually no offseason. Jenna Laine of ESPN explains.
How the pandemic has most affected the Buccaneers
… … Bruce Arians also estimates that rookies lost over 400 reps with no offseason program. The player most impacted by lost reps and no preseason is first-round draft pick Tristan Wirfs, who will step in as the starting right tackle in Week 1. They haven’t been taking it easy on him in practice, with Shaq Barrett getting a significant number of reps against him.
The good spin Joe can put on this is every NFL player, rookie or veteran, had virtually no offseason.
Look, if Wirfs is as good as the Bucs think, he should be able to hold his own against Jordan. No, Joe doesn’t expect Jordan to get shut down by a rookie. But if Wirfs holds Jordan to no more than two sacks, that’s not horrible for a guy in his first NFL game. (Brady was sacked two or more times in nine games last season. One more won’t kill him.)
And Joe is pretty certain the Bucs, likely foot-rubbing tight end Rob Gronkowski, will help out Wirfs quite a bit.
September 11th, 2020 at 8:48 am
Not worried one bit. The Cerebral Assassin will get the ball out quick.
Go Bucs
September 11th, 2020 at 8:51 am
Spotlight on the rookie for sure. I think he’ll be OK.
September 11th, 2020 at 9:09 am
Keep your fingers crossed
September 11th, 2020 at 9:13 am
Hopefully playing against Shaq developed his decision speed against the fast twitch guys…knowing what to look for. But Jordan def wont push through him.
September 11th, 2020 at 9:35 am
Not looking for Evans & Godwin to have big games…..looking for the RBs….all three…..Rojo,Fournette & Shady to get receptions along with all three TEs……checkdowns….and a very long pass or two to SCOTTY!!!
September 11th, 2020 at 9:38 am
I had Wirfs at the top of my list of all OT. He had the best Combine score of all Offensive linemen and wrestled at the best college. Wrestling at this level shows how well your balance and counter move skills are. It wouldn’t surprise me if Wirfs made the all rookie team. I expect no more than one sack against Jordan.
September 11th, 2020 at 9:42 am
i think wirfs will be solid from start to finish….
GO BUCS!!!!!
September 11th, 2020 at 10:23 am
Cam Jordan is Geraldine McCoy good not sure why people are worried, wirfs won’t be tasked to handle that dude all by himself and wirfs can’t possibly be worse than demar was. Quarterback knows where to go with the ball, I don’t think either team will rack up sacks, they don’t hold the ball long
September 11th, 2020 at 10:27 am
I would expect a few holding penalties and maybe a false start, but should hold his own otherwise.
September 11th, 2020 at 10:37 am
I’d be worried about Wirfs if he was a small school LT being thrown into the fire as a first time NFL RT, but he’s not. He’s played RT for three years at a good program that’s known for solid O line play. I’m more concerned about Cappa. If he doesn’t make the leap he needs to take this year, it would spell more trouble for Wirfs then Cam Jordan. Cappa needs to grab the RG guard job by the nads, and prove he’s the real deal there for us.
September 11th, 2020 at 10:50 am
I believe we will see a bunch of screen passes, draw plays and a reverse or two in order to slow down the Saints pass rush. Effective play calling will go a long way in helping this offensive line.
Plus – keeping the score close is imperative if we are going to protect Brady. If we are forced to abandon our run game early we are screwed…
September 11th, 2020 at 11:04 am
Look for lots of short passes, especially to Godwin, Gronk, with checkdowns to Shady. That with Brady’s quick release should do much to keep Wirfs from getting overwhelmed. But we may see him knock a few guys onto their cans.
September 11th, 2020 at 11:42 am
Rico 210.
Not worried one bit. The Cerebral Assassin will get the ball out quick.
We got HHH at qb? SWEET!!!
If you ain’t down with that I got 2 words for ya “SUCK IT!!!” LOL.
Go Bucs!!!
September 11th, 2020 at 12:37 pm
We will score a bunch of points Sunday for sure, but I am more worried about us stopping their offense.
September 12th, 2020 at 2:13 pm
If we’re setting the sack prediction at 1.5, the smart money is on the under for Wirfs.